It doesn't matter what the state crime rate is. If you compare Austin vs San Francisco or Los Angeles you get a very different picture of California cities. Just like natural disasters, the crime problems are local. San Diego on the other hand is pretty good.
The real problem is the wasteful spending in Sacramento. The well intentioned policies devised there rarely solve any problems and usually create new problems of their own. The legislature is bleeding the state dry and when they run out of funds they set their sights on the next vulnerable tax bracket. Most of the problem come from the aggregate loss of economic opportunities which inevitably increases the demand for more bad policies. These problems have been spreading which is alarming. I'm not sure any part of California is safe.
Austin on the other hand seems to be rolling out the red carpet to attract businesses and entrepreneurs.